Rollbett

Rollbett is a term used in German to describe a bed on wheels designed for medical care to facilitate patient mobility and care. It generically covers hospital beds with casters, transfer beds, and portable home-care beds intended for inpatient and outpatient settings. The primary purpose is to enable safe transport within a facility or house, as well as flexible positioning for examinations or treatments.

Design and features: Rollbeds typically have four to six swiveling casters with locking mechanisms, an adjustable height range, and a tilting backrest with an adjustable knee section. Many models offer electric operation for height and backrest adjustments, while others are manually operated. Side rails are common in hospital models for fall prevention, and the frame is usually steel with a powder coat or stainless finish. The mattress is separate and replaceable. Some versions include integrated IV pole attachments, drainage hooks, or scales.

Variants and uses: Standard medical rollbeds are used for inpatient care, patient transport between rooms or departments, wound care, or post-operative recovery. Bariatric versions provide higher weight capacity. Low-height variants ease patient transfer, and some models are designed specifically for home care with simplified controls.

Safety and regulation: Regular inspection of wheels and brakes, proper use of side rails, secure mattress, and adherence to weight limits are essential. Maintenance logs and adherence to applicable medical device standards are typical requirements in professional settings.

History: The concept of mobile hospital beds emerged with modern hospital design in the early 20th century, evolving toward more adjustable, durable, and maneuverable rollbeds to support patient care and workflow.